(Waltham, MA, USA) Planet Extech, the social networking web site for users and fans of Extech Instruments, announced the winners of its “Switch Story” contest. Two grand prize winners will receive an Apple® iPad™ and an honorable mention will receive an iPod™ shuffle plus an Extech EX845 METERLiNK clamp meter.

The two winners of the Apple iPads are Eric German of Ontario, Canada and Curt Murray of Michigan (United States). Eric German uses several Extech meters and testers along with a FLIR i7 thermal imaging camera for wind turbine maintenance. In Eric’s switch story, he explains how Extech plays a key role in the upkeep of green energy infrastructure, “We are now using several products successfully to maintain millions of dollars worth of wind power generation equipment!” He also uses Extech and FLIR for performing building, equipment, and electrical system inspections in his own business. Eric commends Extech’s durability: “after some serious use, all my gear is still performing and more importantly, still accurate and reliable.”

Curt Murray uses an Extech clamp meter, multimeter, and dual input thermometer on the job for HVAC commercial service. In his switch story, Curt describes how he put his Extech to the test: “I own an EX830 clamp-on meter. This is my primary meter and it gets heavily abused by weather, manhandling, getting thrown in the truck, etc. I have had this meter for about three years. In the spring of 2010, my meter took a plunge in a deep puddle and was completely submerged for several minutes. I thought the meter was gone. I dried it out completely, tested it with another meter, and it is still plugging along today! Now that is what I call a tough meter.”  After making the switch, other technicians tried his Extech meters and liked them so much, they switched to Extech as well.

An honorable mention iPod shuffle prize goes to Jeremy Toone of New Mexico. In his switch story, Jeremy talks about the versatility of his company’s Extech EX840 clamp meter for electrical, plant and lab-related maintenance, “Working at a national research laboratory, I come in contact with some incredibly complex machines, and the Extech has helped me in many, many ways. I use it for infrared temperature readings, amp readings on crane inspections, and general AC voltage checks.” Since the Extech was purchased as a company tool, Jeremy adds, “Now, we all fight for it.” Extech is pleased to upgrade Jeremy’s prize with a state-of-the-art Extech EX845 Bluetooth-enabled METERLiNK clamp meter.

Arpineh Mullaney, vice president for Extech Instruments, announced the winners on Planet Extech, “Everyday at Extech, we’re hearing from customers who are stepping forward to share their stories of why they switched to Extech. Congratulations to Eric, Curt and Jeremy on winning our switch story contest. Our customers’ stories, told in their own words, resonate with test equipment users who now face a dizzying array of brands and products. Their stories also help to strengthen and unify our fast-growing community of users and fans on Planet Extech. We look forward to selecting more winning switch stories in December and invite you to share your switch story!”

The Switch Story Contest continues: Extech customers can share their switch story by visiting http://www.extech.com/switch2extech. All switch story entrants will receive a 2-LED camo cap – a $20 USD value. Two winning entries will be selected to receive Apple® iPad™ grand prizes in December 2011.